Save Article

FDA Approves Sales of Novartis's Prevacid

By

Anita Greil

Updated May 15, 2009 9:23 a.m. ET

ZURICH -- Novartis AG said Thursday it received U.S. approval to sell a prescription-free version of heartburn drug Prevacid, a boost to the drug maker's consumer-health division where sales are suffering from the economic downturn.

Basel, Switzerland-based Novartis said the Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of an over-the-counter version of Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.'s top-selling heartburn drug Prevacid.